We all know that the sun’s rays can damage your skin. But did you know the sun also can damage your hair? If your hair has prolonged exposure to the sun, UVA and UVB rays can damage the outside cover of the hair strand, called the cuticle. Signs of sun damage to your hair include discoloration, dry and … Read More

Over-the-counter acne treatments can help you keep your skin clear and blemish-free. But some of these lotions and gels also could produce dangerous reactions that may, in rare circumstances, be life-threatening. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning that says products containing the ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can cause rare … Read More

You may love your loofah, but don’t get too attached. You won’t want the things that can lurk in a loofah to linger. By their nature, loofah sponges have lots of nooks and crannies, and they’re very porous. When people use a loofah to scrub off dead skin cells, those cells become lodged in the … Read More

We all know the dangers of tanning beds, and how they can increase your risk for skin cancer. That might have you wondering if it’s equally ill-advised to park your perfectly polished fingertips under the ultraviolet lamp at the nail salon. At the nail salon, these special lamps help to set gel manicures and dry … Read More

When pimples start popping up, so does the advice about treating and preventing acne. But it isn’t always backed by medical evidence, so it’s important to be able to separate fact from fiction. We asked dermatologist Jennifer Lucas, MD, to address these commonly held acne beliefs: 1. Putting Listerine or toothpaste on a zit will clear it up Maybe, … Read More

You may be wondering about that little outgrowth of skin that popped up on your otherwise smooth skin surface. Most of the time, a skin tag or cyst is nothing more than unsightly, and usually not painful or bothersome. But sometimes, there might be more to these common skin flaws, and it’s important to know … Read More

Acne, a skin problem that typically affects teenagers, develops when pores become clogged by the oils and other substances on the skin. Jennifer Lucas, MD, a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, says your first line of defense is a good cleaning regimen. Here are some other tips to keep acne at bay: 1. Look for benzoyl … Read More

It won’t be long before the cool, crisp days of fall give way to cold, harsh winter. Now is the time to prepare your skin for weather conditions that can really do a number on it. Dermatologist Jennifer Lucas, MD, says the weather has a direct effect on your skin. Moisture and humidity in the … Read More

Imagine a scenario where you walk into a doctor’s office in the morning with skin cancer. During the next few hours you undergo a procedure that removes and examines every bit of the carcinoma, testing until it’s sure you are completely cancer-free. And you can drive home that afternoon. It happens every day. The procedure … Read More